Yunho’s vision was vague as he found himself sitting on the pavement. He wasn’t sure where he was. All he knew is that the glasses of vodka he drank made him awfully elated. He was laughing and crying alternately, like a man who had gone crazy. He didn’t care about the people’s judging eyes. he didn’t care about anything, even about himself.

He heard his phone and saw Krystal’s name on the screen. He pressed the answer button, only to be welcomed by his sister’s endless nagging. He winced as she started to shout.

“Where the hell are you Jung Yunho?!” she exclaimed.

“Hey…sis. I’m just…having…fun here…at the bar.” He said in his very slurry voice.

He heard her sigh and he couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. “I’m gonna ask the oppas to get you.” She said and ended the call.

A few minutes later, Donghae, Eunhyuk, Siwon, Jaejoong and Jonghyun came running to him. As soon as he got inside the car, he felt sleep dawn on him. When he woke up, the sun was already illuminating the whole of his room. His throbbing head made it hard for him to get out of bed but a familiar voice made him forget about his hangover.

“My goodness. What’s this mess?” he heard his mother say.

Jessica sighed. “It’s like this every day, Umma. Krystal doesn’t even want to go here anymore. She said it’s getting harder to deal with Yun Oppa every day.”

If there’s one person he wanted the least inside his unit, it was his mother. It’s not that he didn’t want to see her but he knew it would just hurt her to see him broken and lifeless.

For a moment, it was silent. Yunho wondered what the two were doing until he heard the whimpers of the most important woman in his life.

“My Yunho…” Mrs. Jung said in between sobs. “He was such a happy boy when he was young. When he got married, a part of me has died but I was happy because I knew that he married the woman I prayed for him to find. Do you remember that Sica? That smile of our Yunnie while waiting for Yuri as she walked down the aisle. His face was full of joy and love. He looked like an angel sent from above. But now…” Mrs. Jung couldn’t finish her words anymore as she broke down into further into tears.

Yunho closed his eyes as he felt his heart break into pieces once again. He thought of what has transpired in the past few months, the people he hurt, the hours he wasted throwing his life away and the memories of Yuri he tainted with pain and bitterness. Every day, people would constantly try to pull him out of the pit he was into but he refused because he found no reason to live anymore. But when he heard his mother’s words, he realized that he still has a life to live not only for himself, but for the people who never left his side.

“This has got to stop.” He said and got out of his bed.

***

“Good morning.” Yunho said with a smile as he sat beside his friends.

His sudden presence and unbelievably good mood shocked his friends. They looked at him with utmost curiosity.

“What?” he asked.

“What are you doing here?” Changmin asked, still in awe.

Yunho crossed his arms. “Am I not a part of this friendship anymore?”

Junsu shook his head profusely. “No, hyung. It’s just that…”

Yunho raised his right hand. “I get it. I know you’re all wondering why I am suddenly back to being the old Yunho again. To be honest, I am not. I’m still trying to recover from all my pain. But few days ago, something struck me and I realized that there’s no use to throwing my life. I have to get back on my feet and start all over again.” he said sincerely.

Jaejoong tapped his back. “We’re really happy that you’re trying to move forward again. Just remember, we’re all just here for you. Always.”

Changmin rolled his eyes. “Enough with the drama. I’m hungry. Let’s eat.”

“You haven’t changed a bit.” Yunho remarked.

“I’m glad you noticed.” Changmin said sarcastically.

Yunho chuckled. “Aigoo, is the maknae mad at hyung for not taking care of him for the past months? I’m sorry. Come on now, give me a hug.” He said and gestured to hug the maknae.

Changmin punched his shoulders. “You make me puke, hyung. Stop that.”

Everyone laughed and with each roar of laughter, Yunho felt alive. He realized how many moments of this kind he had taken for granted because of what he had gone through. With all these people around, he knew he wasn’t alone in mending his life.

“By the way, my Mom is organizing an event in an orphanage in Gwangju. She told me to invite you all.” Jaejoong said.

Yunho thought about Yuri as soon as he heard about the event in the orphanage. They usually do charity events especially during Yuri’s birthday. The thought of his wife made him smile but also made his heart hurt. He misses her more and more each day but he knew deep inside that this is what Yuri would’ve wanted, for him to continue living as normally as he could.

“Hyung, will you come?” Junsu asked.

It wouldn’t hurt to go, he thought.  “Yes, I will.” He answered.

***

Jinri woke up to the sound of laughing children. She couldn’t help but smile at their innocence. And as she got out of bed, she was smothered by their hugs and kisses.

“Good morning, Jinri unnie.” Chin-chin said.

She kissed the girl’s head. “Good morning Chin-chin. How was your sleep?”

The kid smiled at her like an angel. “I had a good dream. Thank you for the bed time story.”

“You’re welcome, sweetie.” She said and led Chin-chin and the other children to the kitchen for their breakfast.

Jinri grew up in an orphanage and knew nothing of her origin except for her name and her birthday. She didn’t know at first but as she grew up, she realized her situation—that she was an orphan. She felt unloved and unwanted for a time but then, the love of the nuns who took care of her together with other children made it easier for her to deal with not having real parents. There have been multiple attempts to adopt her but she always refused because for her, she already got a home in the orphanage and there was no place she’d rather be than there.

Sometimes, she would think about her parents and would wonder why they left her. She wanted to hate them for that but she couldn’t bring herself to do such. No matter how hard her life has been, if given the chance, she would still want to meet them, she would still want to have a real father and mother and maybe, even siblings.

“Is everything ready for the event tomorrow?” asked Sister Anna.

Jinri nodded cheerfully. “Yes, Sister. I’m really excited for the kids. I hope they’ll enjoy later.”

Sister Anna smiled at her. “They will. The ones coming here are good people and has been a big help to the orphanage for years now.”

“I’m really glad that there are still good people in this world.” Jinri said.

Sister Anna caressed Jinri’s cheeks. “Good people will never run out. Believe me when I say that Jinri-ah.” She said.

Jinri smiled cheerfully and hugged Sister Anna. “I’ll always believe in that, Sister Anna. I’ll always do.”  

****

Hello readers!

I'm sorry for the very late update. I've been caught up with a lot of school works. It's our finals week next week so I really got a lot of things to do. 

So, finally here's a sneek peak of who Jinri is. I hope you don't judge or hate her. 

Thank you for reading and please subscribe. Thanks! :)